The magnificent Great Hall was brightly lit. Harry looked at the familiar long table and felt a warmth in his heart, a feeling of returning home. Pointing at the pale-faced freshmen waiting to be sorted, he smiled and asked Ron,""Were we like this last year?"
Ron rolled his eyes at George and Fred, who were sitting nearby."Of course-I was terrified this time last year.”
When the Sorting Hat was brought out, Harry smiled and winked at it, and if he wasn't mistaken, the hat seemed to smile back.
After the song, everyone applauded. The sorting ceremony had officially begun.
Harry waited patiently as the terrified new students were slowly separated into different Houses.
"Harry, the boy who took your picture," said Neville."He's been assigned to Gryffindor.”
" Oh," said Harry casually, playing with the fork in his hand." Maybe we can borrow his camera to study it and make one ourselves."”
It was hard to believe that after spending a year in this wonderful school, he had never thought of keeping a few photos.
Harry's heart wrenched at the thought of Hagrid's photo album in his bracelet, and he turned his attention to Ginny, who was still in line.
When Professor McGonagall shouted "Ginny? The girl sat on the stool with an uneasy expression and put on her hat while trembling. The Sorting Hat shouted "Gryffindor", and Ron exhaled heavily.
"What are you nervous about?" said Harry."Of course she's coming to Gryffindor.”
Ron said,"I was worried Ginny was timid and would be put into another house.”
"Aren't you all Gryffindors?”
" Actually, it has nothing to do with family," Hermione said." It's just that many students from the same family have similar personalities. There are exceptions. Parvati of our House? Patil, her twin sister Padma? Patil's in Ravenclaw."
The headmaster finished his welcome speech and introduced the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Gilderoy McGonagall. Lockhart, bowing to the students with a charming smile, to the low cheers of the girls.
It was obvious that none of the professors on the faculty table were sincerely welcoming him. Even Hagrid looked impatient. Harry felt that it took some talent for the new professor to be able to cause such a stir after reporting for less than half a day.
"Oh my god! I can't believe it-"said Hermione, trying to keep her voice as low as possible.
The long table was suddenly covered with food. Harry picked up a few pieces of spiced beef and tasted them with relish.
Hmm, his craftsmanship was not bad. It seemed like he had put in a lot of effort.
His green eyes narrowed in satisfaction, flashing a pure smile that would only appear when he saw delicious food and books.
Looking at the happy Harry, the surrounding people felt their appetites being aroused and began to eat and drink happily.
――――――――――――――――――
Their first lesson of the term was Herbalism, and Harry was a little embarrassed. He wondered if Professor Sprout would be upset that he had set her Devil's Snare on fire last term-he hoped not to get even with her afterward.
Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students came to the door of the greenhouse, chatting and laughing. They were surprised to find Lockhart standing next to Professor Sprout. He was wearing a turquoise gold-rimmed hat and a flowing turquoise robe. He was smiling, showing his snow-white teeth. The girls were caught by his smile and began to talk in whispers.
"Hello, I was just showing Professor Sprout how to take care of the Mandrake, but I don't want you to think I'm better at herbalism than she is, I've just come across this strange plant by chance..."
Professor Sprout's usually mild-mannered face was full of displeasure as she cut him off coldly."I'm sorry, Professor Lockhart, but we're going to start-greenhouse three for today!”
"Oh, wait, Professor," Lockhart didn't know whether it was because he was too thick-skinned or because he didn't hear the coldness in her voice at all.”As he spoke, he reached out to pull Harry away.
Harry backed away, bowing slightly."Sorry, Professor. If you have something to say, can we talk about it after class?”
Lockhart stared for a moment, then laughed to himself."Of course, even a boy who's survived needs to work-" He blinked what he thought was playfully.
The whispers disappeared in an instant, and the scene was silent.
Feeling many eyes on him, Harry narrowed his eyes and gave a forced smile.
Lockhart's nerves were so thick that he didn't notice the sudden coldness in his eyes." Well, I'll see you later-" He shook his blond hair and left handsomely.
Professor Sprout glared at his back, turned around and coughed lightly." Alright, line up and go in. Today we're going to learn how to take care of the Mandrake..."
――――――――――――――――――
Lockhart did not go to Harry again that day. As he was in the corridor explaining his new spell to Professor Flitwick, he was shoved by Peeves, who had been following him, so hard that he knocked over a suit of armor and, unfortunately, broke his leg. Madam Pomfrey examined him and sternly announced that he would have to stay in the infirmary for a week.
Some of the girls were so sad that they cried. They sent many flowers and cards to the infirmary, wishing him a speedy recovery. When Hermione heard the news, she stood up excitedly, then sat down awkwardly and looked at Harry, who was reading quietly.
Harry looked up and asked her in confusion,"What's wrong?"
"Harry," said Hermione, blushing slightly,"shall we go and see Professor Lockhart? I heard he was injured-he didn't mean to say it that day..."
Ron frowned, and Neville said, looking disgusted,"What's so good about that guy? My grandmother told me that he doesn't have any real ability at all. He's just a liar.”
Hermione went even redder, though this time she was angry rather than shy."Neville, how could the headmaster have hired a crook as our professor, you've read his books-"
"Who knows if what he wrote is true or false? In my opinion…"
"Well, Neville," said Harry, putting away his book and standing up,"it's only right to visit the injured professor, stop arguing and go.”
The four of them walked in silence all the way to the infirmary. Outside the ward, Harry heard Lockhart's spirited voice.
"…I have done some research. Don't you think that adding some dried mugworts to this potion will have a better effect? I used to…"
"I said, drink the medicine!"
"I still think…Ah-"
The sound from inside the room caused all four of them to freeze at the door. Hermione hesitated for a moment, then said dryly,"Um…Let's go in later…"
The corners of Ron and Neville's mouths twitched, and they struggled to suppress their laughter.
"Add some dried mugwood? "How could he think of that..." muttered Madam Pomfrey as she walked, her face dark.”"Professor Lockhart's hurt very badly, I told you, no visitations!"”
They left the infirmary quickly, Hermione hanging her head in disappointment, and Harry consoled her,"It's all right, Madam Pomfrey will take good care of him.”
"But what about our Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson tomorrow?”
You're not that worried about him…
The three boys told her with their eyes.
——
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